Cirsium japonicum, commonly known as Japanese thistle, plumed thistle, or sea thistle, is a species of flowering plant in the sunflower family, Asteraceae. It is a perennial thistle native to eastern Asia, ranging from Japan to Korea, China, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

Varieties Five varieties are accepted. Cirsium japonicum f. arakii – Japan Cirsium japonicum var. diabolicum – Japan (Honshu) Cirsium japonicum var. japonicum – China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam Cirsium japonicum var. maritimum – Japan (Honshu) Cirsium japonicum var. vestitum – Japan (Honshu and Shikoku)

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